SCHOOL-AGE HEARING SCREENING IN BRAZIL: A SPATIAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: School Hearing Screening (SHS) aim to early detection of possible hearing impairment in pre-school and school-age children. Thus, early detection of hearing loss helps in the prevention of the difficulties in speech and learning that interfering in quality of life. Objetive: To verify the evolution of quantitative SHS in Brazil, identifying how the coverage of SHS is spatially distributed in Brazil, between 2011-2015. Methods: This is an ecological study using aggregated data on the SHS held between 2011-2015. The analysis units were the 161 Intermediate Regions Articulation Urban and the five regions of Brazil. Maps were generated with the distribution of the coverage of SHS used Moran’s global autocorrelation coefficient. Results: The data show a low achievement of SHS in Brazil: 43.5% of the municipalities did not perform any SHS procedure and, among those that were made, the quantity was insufficient to the needs of the population. It was observed concentration of these procedures in the Southeast and Northeast with 50.9% and 25.6% respectively. Besides that, it notes that most of these procedures occur in the public sector. It was also found that the coverage of SHS is very low, with a maximum percentage of 10.56%. In additional, there is a great regional inequality, with most procedures concentrated in a few regions of the country. Conclusion: On the reduced supply and regional inequalities regarding the SHS, it is necessary to trigger discussion and reflection about the specifics of the local health administration and rethink surveillance strategies in children's hearing health. DESCRIPTORS: Mass Screening. Triage. Hearing Disorders. School. Public Health.